Speedy Saint

Former Fayetteville star Eric Shaffer will conclude his career at Shiloh Christian, but has a busy spring and summer before that.

Former Fayetteville High and current Shiloh Christian wideout Eric Shaffer , who recently attended the University of Arkansas' Junior Day, is getting a lot of mail lately.

It's coming from Arkansas, Michigan, LSU, Alabama, Texas Tech, Texas A&M, Florida, Iowa and UCLA just to name a few places.

Of course, that's what you would expect for a speedster who was recently named to the Max Emfinger preseason All-American squad.

"I was shocked, but also very honored when he called to let me know," Shaffer said. "It just makes me want to work even harder on my speed, my route running and catching the ball and just becoming the best receiver I can be."

Shaffer (5-11, 170, 4.4) will no doubt get that chance at Shiloh Christian, where he has returned after spending the past two seasons playing for Fayetteville High.

He hauled in 36 passes for 612 yards and four touchdowns last season and also averaged 27.1 per kickoff return for the Purple Bulldogs.

"It was real tough to leave my friends and (Fayetteville head) Coach (Daryl) Patton, who has a great program," Shaffer said, an Iowa move-in who went to the 7th-9th grade at Shiloh. "But my dad wanted me back in a Christian environment with smaller class sizes and more one-on-one help in the classroom."

It won't hurt either that he will certainly be a big target in Shiloh ‘s pass-happy offense currently led by former Saint Josh Floyd.

"That wasn't one of the main reasons, but yes, I do think Coach Josh Floyd is a great coach and I am looking forward to playing in that offense," Shaffer said. "I think I'll get to learn a lot about reading safeties and other technical stuff in his offense."

Shaffer is also a track star and will be able to work with Calvin Kelly, his personal trainer who is the new track coach at Shiloh.

"I really enjoy working with him and think he has improved my speed and technique," Shaffer said. "I just think this is an all-around good situation for me."

Shaffer won the Class AA-AAA 200-meter dash this weekend at the State Indoor Meet held at the University of Arkansas' Indoor Track.

"I ran a 22.8," Shaffer said. "I also run the 100, long jump and I'm now triple jumping as well."

Shaffer certainly looked the part of track star while attending the U.S. Army National Junior Combine in San Antonio back in January. He was in his sprinter's stance and had great explosion in the drills.

"I enjoyed that and think I did myself some good," Shaffer said. "I'm told that I was in the top 5 in the 40-yard dash and in the top 15 in all the other categories."

Shaffer got his name out in recruiting circles last spring when he attended a combine in Baton Rouge.

"It was a great time and a lot of people got to see me and I did pretty well down there," Shaffer said. "I got a chance to work out with some great players."

Shaffer enjoyed his recent short trek over for Arkansas' Junior Day.

"I thought the Junior Day went really well, was very well organized and it was a great chance to be around the coaches and get to know them better," Shaffer said. "I also really enjoyed getting to see the new weight room."

Shaffer will attend camps at Arkansas and a few other places this summer, play 7-on-7 football and also participate in a few summer track meets.

He's also working with former Razorback wideout Bobby Joe Edmonds to get better.

"That is one of the things that I am really excited about," Shaffer said. "He is doing a great job with me and making me a better prospect and better at doing everything it takes to get the best out of myself. That's what I am after."